A statement made by one of the prosecutors in a Springs Rescue Mission stabbing case resulted in both him and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office being taken off the case, an El Paso County judge ruled Tuesday.

Rocky West, 34, is facing a single first-degree murder charge after allegedly killing Isaiah Curtis Plair, 25, at the Springs Rescue Mission last July. West was a registered client at the shelter, according to arrest documents.

Fatal stabbing at Springs Rescue Mission described by witness as ‘prison-style shanking’

The last time West appeared in court, his attorney filed a motion asking for a second competency evaluation. The April filing came right after West was ruled competent to proceed despite “delusions.” Two evaluators testified to West’s competency in February, and both agreed West understood the court process.

On Tuesday, Judge David Gilbert heard arguments regarding a motion West’s defense counsel filed attempting to disqualify prosecutor Brien Cecil for statements he made to the family of the victim in the hallway outside of the April 25 hearing.

According to Jennifer Cox with the Public Defender’s Office, Cecil was overheard expressing his frustration regarding the second competency evaluation and how it further delayed legal proceedings. Cox alleged Cecil slammed the Public Defender’s Office, claiming they were just trying to get West released so he could “keep stabbing.”

Cecil also allegedly said that if West were to reoffend, “hopefully the next people he stabs would be from the Public Defender’s Office.”

Prosecutor Grant Libby argued Cecil’s statements would not affect the integrity of the case and that there was no evidence Cecil had animosity toward West. Libby read the entire comment aloud to the courtroom to “get it out of the way.”

The defense noted that Cecil later apologized for his statements and tried to remedy the situation, but said concerns remained over his ability to be unbiased in prosecuting this case. Cox disputed Libby’s claim that Cecil had “no animosity,” saying his statements implying West would automatically reoffend indicated otherwise. 

Furthermore, the defense argued the entire 4th Judicial District should be disqualified from the case due to Cecil serving in a supervisory role. Cecil is listed as a senior deputy district attorney on the District Attorney Office’s website.

Cecil did not speak during arguments and only spoke when he was asked to introduce himself on the record.

Gilbert said that while he understood Cecil’s position regarding more delays due to competency, he acknowledged the statement he made was “more than just frustration.”

The prosecution had previously objected to the second competency evaluation. Cecil claimed West’s delusions do not inhibit his ability to assist his counsel in his case.

At the April hearing, Gilbert said most of the arguments were the same as the previous motions, but “new information and research” prompted the defense to file again. He called his decision to grant the motion a “very close call,” deeming it “very unusual” as he has “never seen this before.”

Springs Rescue Mission stabbing suspect to undergo more competency evaluations

During Tuesday’s hearing, Gilbert said he worked with Cecil for many years and called him a “good man,” but added that his statement was “extreme” and falls under impropriety — grounds for disqualification. He also acknowledged that if the 4th Judicial District followed through with prosecuting the case, questions may be raised afterward regarding Cecil’s bias.

West’s case will now be reassigned to a different judicial district attorney’s office. The judge said he did not expect the reassignment process to take long and should be completed by the time West again appears in court.

West, in custody as of Tuesday, was deemed competent to proceed at the beginning of his hearing, and will appear again in front of Gilbert for his arraignment, scheduled for July 8. 

Contacted after the hearing, spokesperson Kate Singh with the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said disqualifications are rare. 

“Our office is evaluating this order and its potential for appeal,” Singh said. 

Stabbing death at Springs Rescue Mission leaves shelter ‘profoundly shaken’